How Did All These Lil Rappers Get Their Names?

Credit: Jonathan F.

"Well it started in high school... I used to wear these glasses like Spike Lee, and they started calling me Lil Spike. Then I started hangin’ out with another John and he had another friend named John also. The other John was huge, so they called him Big John, and I was the smallest so I was Lil Jon. I'm never gonna change it. It’s been Lil so long why take it out now? Also, people are so familiar with it I don’t think I could. It’s like Mr. T cutting his mohawk."

"My government name is Herbert, it’s also my father’s name, so everyone around me—my family, my homies, everyone—was already calling me Lil Herb before I even started rappin'. The change from Lil Herb to G Herbo just went along with my natural transition from a boy to a man. ‘G’ stands for General where I’m from, it’s a term of respect and a symbol of leadership”

"It's my pop’s nickname. His real name is Dante but he went by Durk. He named me after his nickname. My real name is Durk Banks. I haven't really considered changing it, it’s everything I’ve known. If I ever do change it, I’ll still always answer to it."

"Everyone knows this answer: Gucci Mane is my biggest influence. That's why I got the ice cream cone tatt and called myself Lil Wop. And my birthday is 10/17."

"I just wanted something easy for somebody to remember. I feel like it was moreso inspired by Yung Lean—it's real simple but when you listen to the music it's different, more unique. I've considered changing my name just cause it's getting real common, I started to get overshadowed by the big ones."

When we interviewed Lil Xan in December 2017 he told us: "I always wondered what the longevity of the name Lil Xan would be. I always contemplated whether I’d have to change it, but I learned you don’t have to if the formula is working. It’s great. It’s beautiful. The only thing that might change is I might drop the ‘Lil.’"

Not long after, Xan Tweeted that "one day" his rap name would simply be Diego, with the change reflecting a natural evolution in his sound and content. This year, he told Nardwuar, "I'm still Lil Xan. You can call me Diego if you want. My second album, I'm going to be full Diego."

"My homies used to always catch me sippin' Windex on the low, after a while they just started calling me Windex as a nickname. I don't advise ever doing it though... I mean, look how I turned out right? As for the Lil, that comes from my dick size. It's tiny, like a little almond, its quite sad. ANYWAYS, next question. I haven't ever really considered taking the Lil out, I mean, c'mon bruh, that's like asking for a lawsuit. I might as well stand outside of Windex head quarters and scream 'sue me' while playing my hit track 'Cleaning Up'... RIKIKI... yolo."